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“Thanks for the help,” I said, a genuine smile on my lips, “and for the groceries.”
He leaned against the side of the car, arms folded, and shot me a casual grin. “Anytime. So, Paisley…” he began, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow, sensing he was about to ask something. “Yes?”
“You’ve settled into town for a bit now, met some of the locals. How do you feel about bowling?”
“Bowling?” I laughed, slightly taken aback. “I mean, it’s been ages, but sure, why not? Is there even a bowling alley in this quaint town?”
He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Ah, one of Valle di Sole’s best-kept secrets. It’s not your typical fancy alley, more of a retro vibe, but it’s a blast. I’m actually organizing a night out with some of the folks from the vineyard tomorrow. Kind of a team-building thing.”
My curiosity piqued. “Sounds fun. Count me in.”
Austin cleared his throat, shifting his weight from one foot to another. “There’s another thing. Would you…” he paused, looking a bit unsure for the first time since I'd met him. "Would you consider coming as my date?”
The unexpectedness of the question caught me slightly off guard. I regarded him, taking in the earnest look on his face. Here was Austin, a guy who seemed so confident and self-assured, momentarily vulnerable.
“I’d love to,” I replied, a soft blush warming my cheeks. “But only if you promise not to laugh at my inevitably terrible bowling skills.”
His face broke into a wide grin, relief evident in his eyes. “Oh, trust me, you haven’t seen me try to aim. It’ll be entertaining, to say the least.”
We shared a light laugh, the tension from moments before now replaced with a comfortable ease. “Alright, it’s a date then,” I affirmed.
“It’s a date,” he echoed, his voice warm.
Austin took a step closer, his presence both familiar and exciting. The world around us seemed to blur as the distance between us diminished. However, just as our moment was building, a car horn blared, interrupting our reverie. We both jumped, laughing at the sudden disturbance.
“I guess that’s our cue,” I said, still chuckling.
“Seems so,” he replied with a smirk. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”
“Sounds perfect.”
With a final lingering glance and a wave, Austin began his walk back to the heart of town, leaving me with an exhilarating mix of emotions and the thrill of tomorrow's promise.
6
AUSTIN
The warm evening air of Valle di Sole was infused with a sense of anticipation. As I pulled up to the vineyard’s shed where Paisley lived, the orange-pink hues of the setting sun painted the horizon. I checked my watch. It read 6:58 pm. Punctuality was something I always prided myself on, especially when it came to dates.
Paisley emerged from the shed apartment looking radiant in a flowing dress, its earthy colors complementing her hair. I couldn’t help but smile as our eyes met.
“You look beautiful,” I greeted, holding the car door open for her.
She blushed slightly. “Thank you, Austin. You clean up pretty well yourself.”
I chuckled, “Well, for you, I had to make an effort.”
As we drove to the neighboring town, I caught her looking out the window at the vineyards rolling by. The landscape was bathed in the gentle gold of twilight. “It’s such a beautiful place,” she whispered, seemingly to herself.
“Wait till you see where we’re going. I think you’ll love it.”
After a short drive, we reached our destination: a charming family-owned Mexican restaurant. Its warm, golden lights beckoned from afar, and the soft strains of mariachi music drifted into the night.
As we entered, the rich aromas of spices and grilled meats filled the air. The walls, adorned with colorful murals, told tales of old Mexico, and the ambiance was both lively and intimate.
We were greeted by an elderly woman with silver-streaked hair and a smile that spoke of countless happy memories. “Austin!” she exclaimed, opening her arms wide.
